These two sample topics identify potential areas for in-depth exploration of human resilience on an at-risk population not discussed in the module readings, along with a practical application:

• What individual, family, and community factors are related to building resilience in elderly individuals who are at risk for social isolation? Based upon your review, what future research ought to be done?
• What individual, family, and community factors are related to building resilience in adults who experience a serious injury, (e.g., from a workplace accident)? Based upon your review, what future research ought to be done?

Once you have selected a topic of interest, find two or three research articles, using the following criteria:

• The articles should all focus on a particular at-risk group.
• The resources you select should be fairly recent, (i.e., published no earlier than 1990).
• At least one article should be from a peer-reviewed journal.
• At least one article should be an actual research study.
  

Proposal

Complete a proposal for Part 3 of the project exam.

The research proposal for this part of the Project Exam is a required component.

• In a brief paragraph, provide information on your research topic and the major issues you intend to examine.
• Include an annotated bibliography that lists the articles you intend to use. Include the full citation (using APA format), including title, author(s), and source for each of your choices. In the annotation, very briefly (about 100-125 words) describe the main ideas presented in the article and inform the reader of the quality of the source and its relevance to parts 3 and 4 of the Project Exam.

The Final Project

Your final written response to Part 3 of the Project Exam should summarize the articles and present your informed opinion about how the research and ideas developed in the articles you have selected have contributed to our understanding of human resilience. For instance, if appropriate, you can outline how the research ties in, extends, or continues a theme introduced in the course readings and/or video clips. Your response should be approximately 750-1,000 words (about 3-4 pages) and should cite the selected sources, using APA style.

Carefully read the research articles you have selected and summarize what you have learned from these articles. Compare and contrast the research (i.e., what similarities did you find? what differences?) and consider including common themes, such as limitations, areas in need of future research, and practical applications.

Part 4: Practical Application of Research

Part 4 builds upon your research in Part 3 on a specific area of human resilience and asks you to identify a practical application for the research. Your response should be approximately 250 words (about 1 page).

Select one of the following two options for the practical application:

Option 1: Research Question

Suggest a researchable question that follows up on the research articles that you located. Your researchable question should have the potential to build upon the original findings of the articles you have located and extend them in an interesting and informative manner.

Option 2: Social Policy Recommendation

Develop a social policy recommendation that would promote resilience in the at-risk population you have identified in your research. Develop a rationale for your recommendation by referring to the research papers you have located, as well as to the research from the course.